In a crucial review meeting involving health ministers from various states, the Health Ministry emphasized the importance of a “Whole Of Government” approach to effectively combat the emerging JN.1 coronavirus variant. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently classified the JN.1 strain as a “variant of interest,” with a global public health risk currently evaluated as low.
Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, addressing the need for collaboration between central and state governments, urged preparedness over panic. “We need to be alert, but there is no need to panic. Let us do mock drills in all hospitals once every 3 months. There should be no laxity in our preparation, and I assure all support of the Centre to the states,” he stated.
Kerala Health Minister Veena George echoed this sentiment, emphasizing increased surveillance and regular mock drills in hospitals. “Surveillance has been intensified, and all tests are being sent for genome sequencing. Hospital preparedness, equipment, and PPE kits—we are reviewing them regularly,” the minister added.
India’s first case of JN.1 was detected in Kerala on December 8, with a traveller from Tamil Nadu’s Tiruchirappalli district testing positive for the variant in Singapore.
Dr VK Paul provided an update on the current COVID-19 situation, mentioning about 2,300 active cases in the country, with 519 cases reported yesterday. He reassured the public, stating, “There is nothing to worry about. The JN.1 variant has the ability to spread, but the disease is mild.”
The WHO affirmed that existing vaccines remain effective against severe disease and death caused by JN.1 and other circulating variants. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) supported this, reporting that the JN.1 subvariant constitutes approximately 15% to 29% of cases as of December 8 in the United States. The CDC highlighted the potential for an updated vaccine to provide continued protection against the variant.
As the nation remains vigilant, health authorities continue to stress the importance of a coordinated and proactive response to the evolving situation.
